18/11/2016
The world of American Dad! is no stranger to outlandish scenarios and reality-bending plots, but few episodes encapsulate this chaotic energy quite like "The Best Christmas Story Never." This Season 2 episode, a veritable temporal tapestry of historical what-ifs, plunges Stan Smith into a desperate mission to preserve Christmas as he knows it. What begins as a personal crusade against perceived secularisation quickly spirals into a profound examination of the butterfly effect, where altering one seemingly minor event can have catastrophic consequences for the entire timeline. This episode is a fascinating, if at times bewildering, journey through cause and effect, leaving viewers to ponder the delicate balance of history and the unexpected ripple effects of individual actions.
Stan's Crusade Against Secularism
The episode kicks off on a seemingly festive Christmas in Langley Falls. Roger, in his typically melancholic fashion, laments his unaccomplished life, while Stan is initially brimming with holiday cheer. However, his joy is short-lived as he discovers the town square's Christmas tree has been banned due to its religious nature. This sparks a domino effect of secularisation: mall clerks are forbidden from saying "Merry Christmas," and the dreaded "Christmas Rapist" is rebranded as the "Holiday Rapist." Stan, in his uniquely myopic way, attributes this decline to Jane Fonda, believing her past visit to North Vietnam somehow empowered modern liberals. This escalating outrage leads him to destroy the Christmas tree and presents, earning him a banishment to the couch by a furious Francine.
The Ghost of Christmas Past and a Temporal Gambit
Stan's slumber is interrupted by the Ghost of Christmas Past, a former Tooth Fairy named Michelle. She whisks him away to 1970, with the intention of guiding him through his past. However, Stan, driven by his anti-Fonda agenda, escapes his ethereal guide to find and assassinate the actress. His mission takes an unexpected turn when he learns that Donald Sutherland was the influential figure behind Fonda's political leanings. Stan then targets Sutherland at a Hollywood party, where he encounters Martin Scorsese and convinces him to abandon drugs. This intervention, however, has an unforeseen consequence. Francine and Michelle, pursuing Stan, return to the present to find a desolate street patrolled by Soviet tanks. They deduce that by getting Scorsese clean, they prevented him from ever making the iconic film Taxi Driver. This, in turn, meant John Hinckley Jr. never became obsessed with Jodie Foster, and consequently, never attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan. The ripple effect? Reagan's popularity took a hit in the 1984 election, leading to a Walter Mondale victory and the subsequent surrender of the United States to the Soviet Union within 47 days of his presidency.
Correcting the Timeline: A Hollywood Blockbuster Gone Wrong
Faced with this Soviet-dominated reality, the group must travel back to fix Stan's meddling. Stan decides the most logical solution is to make Taxi Driver himself. However, his creative differences with Robert De Niro quickly lead him to cast John Wayne in the lead role. Stan and Francine then track John Hinckley Jr. to a cinema showing this new version of Taxi Driver. After the film, Stan probes Hinckley about his thoughts, receiving a lukewarm response. Francine then asks if he finds Jodie Foster attractive, to which Hinckley reacts poorly, pointing out her age (12) and maintaining that his future remains unchanged. The temporal meddling continues as Michelle transports them to March 30, 1981. She reveals the ultimate solution: Stan must shoot Reagan himself. Stan, a staunch Reagan supporter, is aghast. Francine reminds him of his initial desire for Christmas and the bleak reality of Soviet rule. Stan's ultimate realisation comes when Michelle reveals that in this alternate future, Francine and Stan might never have met, meaning Steve and Hayley would never exist. This personal stake galvanises Stan, and he shoots Reagan, successfully restoring the original timeline.
Unforeseen Disco Consequences
Upon returning to their bed on Christmas morning, 2006, Stan and Francine are relieved to find history is back on track. After repairing the presents and the tree, they enjoy a peaceful Christmas. Michelle makes one final appearance, gifting Stan a new gun for saving her job. Stan questions how she acquired it so easily, given the Brady Bill's waiting period. Michelle explains that since he only shot Reagan and not Brady, gun purchases remain straightforward. Stan celebrates this as a victory for a better future. Meanwhile, Stan's earlier temporal journey had an accidental, yet significant, impact on Roger. When Stan went back in time to 1970, a "Best of Disco" cassette fell from his jacket. Roger finds it, plays it for executives, and becomes immensely wealthy by essentially inventing the disco era. However, by 1981, disco's popularity wanes, and Roger loses everything. Upon returning to the present, Roger is still reminiscing about his brief reign as the king of disco, a testament to the enduring, albeit fleeting, impact of Stan's temporal meddling.
Character Development: The Hayley Conundrum
While the episode's intricate plot revolving around time travel and historical figures is its primary focus, it also touches upon the evolving character of Hayley Smith. One viewer expressed a sentiment that the show might be altering Hayley's characterisation. Originally portrayed as a sincere, albeit somewhat mellow, idealist, Hayley is now depicted as a low-energy, apathetic stoner. This shift, according to the critique, makes her less interesting and a "lifeless puppet" compared to her former functional self. The concern is that the writers might be attempting to force a comedic persona onto Hayley, forgetting that her original traits provided a valuable counterpoint to the other characters' zaniness. While "The Best Christmas Story Never" doesn't directly address this criticism, it highlights a common point of discussion among fans regarding character consistency and development within long-running animated series. The episode's core narrative, however, remains firmly rooted in Stan's desperate attempts to control history, inadvertently creating a complex web of interconnected events.
Episode Analysis and Reception
"The Best Christmas Story Never" is a prime example of American Dad!'s ability to blend sharp political satire with absurdist humour and intricate plotting. The episode's premise, directly referencing the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan and its potential historical ramifications, is both bold and thought-provoking. The introduction of Michelle as a spectral guide provides a classic narrative device for time travel, reminiscent of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," but filtered through the show's unique, irreverent lens. The episode's success lies in its ability to maintain a sense of urgency and consequence, even amidst the outlandish scenarios. The visual depiction of a Soviet-occupied America is a stark reminder of the Cold War anxieties that shaped much of the latter half of the 20th century, adding a layer of historical commentary to the comedic chaos.
The sheer number of historical figures and pop culture references crammed into this episode is staggering. From Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland to Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, the episode draws a direct line from Hollywood's creative output to significant political events. The inclusion of John Wayne as a replacement for De Niro in Taxi Driver is a particularly inspired touch, highlighting the clash of eras and acting styles. The episode's commentary on the cultural impact of films like Taxi Driver, and how they can influence individuals like John Hinckley Jr., is surprisingly nuanced for a show that often prioritises gags. The clever execution of the time travel paradox, where fixing one problem creates another, is a testament to the writers' skill.
Key Takeaways and Viewer Impressions
This episode is a fan favourite for its ambition and its wild ride through alternate history. It's a prime example of how American Dad! can be both incredibly funny and surprisingly insightful. The episode leaves a lasting impression by demonstrating how even the most well-intentioned actions can have unintended and far-reaching consequences. The introduction of Roger's brief but impactful career as the inventor of disco is a classic example of the show's ability to weave personal storylines into the larger, often chaotic, narrative.
The episode's rating of 5 out of 10 by one critic, while seemingly middling, acknowledges that the episode was not without its entertainment value, but was hampered by a feeling of "too many different ingredients" leading to an "incoherent mess." This sentiment, while subjective, points to the episode's density and its willingness to embrace an almost overwhelming level of absurdity. The critique also highlights a potential disconnect between the writers' intentions and the audience's reception, particularly concerning character development, as seen with the concerns about Hayley's portrayal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did John Hinckley Jr. not see Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver in the episode's altered timeline?
In the episode's altered timeline, Stan's intervention to get Martin Scorsese off drugs prevented Scorsese from ever making the film Taxi Driver. Without the film being made, John Hinckley Jr. never saw Jodie Foster in the role, and thus, never developed his obsession that led to the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.
What was the consequence of Stan not shooting Reagan in the episode?
If Stan had not shot Reagan in the altered timeline, Walter Mondale would have won the 1984 election. This would have led to the United States surrendering to the Soviet Union shortly after Mondale's inauguration, drastically changing the course of history and American life.
How did Roger become wealthy in the episode?
Roger became wealthy because a "Best of Disco" cassette that Stan dropped in the past was found by Roger. Roger used this tape to essentially invent the disco era, becoming fabulously wealthy by promoting disco music to executives.
What was the main point of Stan's mission to change the past?
Stan's initial mission was to prevent the perceived secularisation of Christmas, which he blamed on Jane Fonda. However, his attempts to assassinate figures like Fonda and Sutherland led to a much larger, more dangerous temporal paradox that he then had to correct.
Did the episode's plot directly address concerns about Hayley's character?
While the episode's plot did not directly address viewer concerns about Hayley's character development, the discussions surrounding the episode often include these critiques. The episode itself focuses on Stan's time-traveling adventures and their consequences.
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